Bpsom Learning Forward Conference July 2011

Bpsom Learning Forward Conference July 2011

• 1.
  BPSOM : BostonPublic School Online Mentoring Using Technology to Support 2 nd & 3 rd Year Teachers
• 2.
  Who is HereToday? Presenter: Patreka J. Wood-Blain, New Teacher Developer, Boston Public Schools Round Table Introductions: Name Title Experience with Online Learning
• 3.
  Why BPSOM isNeeded? All school districts are required to provide an induction program for all teachers in their first year of practice [603 CMR 7.12]. 50 additional mentoring hours are required for the professional license Budget does not allow for additional full or part-time support Research by Ingersoll & Strong indicates that: “… support and assistance for beginning teachers have a positive impact on three sets of outcomes: teacher commitment and retention, teacher classroom instructional practices, and student achievement.”
• 4.
  Online Learning EnvironmentConsidered Moodle but didn’t have a shell to host the course Considered Google Sites which would have worked Ultimately used Wikispaces because preferred layout of WebPages, easy to use and free for educators
• 5.
  About the MentorsVeteran educators with over 10 years of teaching experience Various content areas Mostly secondary Mentor to Teacher ratio = 1:10
• 6.
  Organization of BPSOMLearning Forums Teachers explore web-based resources on a variety of topics and post new learning and insights in biweekly learning forums. Community Forums Teachers contribute to a weekly community forum in which they network, collaborate and share ideas with other participants. Face-to-Face Meetings Held at the beginning, middle and end of the course.
• 7.
  Biweekly Learning ForumSequence Self-reflect on DOET or PTS Identify Successes, Challenges & Area for Growth Review web-based resources through the lens of their personal area for growth Articles, interactive websites, videos Discuss applications of resources to their classrooms Develop a product implementing the new strategy or learning Assessment, lesson plan, web 2.0 tool Share comments, feedback and reflections with teachers in your mentor group.  
• 8.
  Final Course ProductE-Portfolio All new learning and reflections on the coursework and their teaching practice will be documented in a final course portfolio that will be presented at the last face-to-face session. BPSOM E-portfolio
• 9.
  Successes & ChallengesSuccesses Challenges E-Portfolio Rewarding for those that completed the course Scavenger Hunt during F2F Wiki environment worked well for hosting course Over 40 teachers initially signed-up for course Live Chat Too long - participants dropped out Mentors lacked support More assignments lead to less mentoring Some participants needed more F2F time Too much work for 2 in-service credits Mentor groups not organized by grade level, especially challenging for early childhood teachers No formal feedback - no evaluation given, all feedback was anecdotal
• 10.
  Next Steps Movecourse from Wikispaces to a Moodle learning environment Develop an online facilitation course for mentors or make completion of the New Teacher Center’s Online Facilitation course a prerequisite for new mentors Integrate ongoing mentor support Separate the Learning Forum from the Community Forum Learning Forum last 12 weeks instead of 16 weeks Community last all year long Use social networks to encourage teachers to participate in BPSOM
• 11.
  For More Information…Email Patreka Wood-Blain [email_address] PowerPoint Slides and Resources http://bpsom-presentation.wikispaces.com/